Welcome to the Hollaback! ULU report, the first ever University of
London wide report on sexual harassment on campuses.
This report is part of the Hollaback! ULU campaign, a London
wide program to tackle sexual harassment on campuses. The
program involves improving methods of preventing and
reporting sexual harassment, providing the tools and training for
students and staff on campus to give better support to victims
and tackle any harassment issues productively.
The report aims to provide an evidence based overview of sexual
harassment on campuses in London, as well as offer
recommendations for creating safer student spaces.
The Hollaback! ULU research has been designed to highlight
specific issues involving sexual harassment of liberation groups and
the importance of having an intersectional overview of situations.
Equal and safe access to campus spaces, the ability to
Hollaback! and be supported is a right to which every
student - whatever their gender, sexuality, race or disability should be entitled to.

Susuana Antubam
ULU Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Officer

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Acknowledgements
This report was designed and written by the University of
London Union Women’s Officer. We would also like to thank
all the students who completed the questionnaire and the
following people for assisting in spreading the questionnaire
and advising throughout the process:
Liam McNulty, Campaigns Co-coordinator at ULU
Kat Higgs, ULU Marketing & Website Coordinator
Hanna Sosnowska, ULU Marketing & Website Assistant
Andrew Turton, ULU LGBT+ Officer
Maham Hashmi, ULU Black Students’ Officer
Thomas Ankin, ULU Disabled Students’ Officer
Ginger Drage
StudentFems London
Kenny Aruwa, SURHUL Vice President of Education & Welfare 2012-2013
Proof readers:
April Howard
Megan Down
Rose Walker
Matthew Chadkirk, SURHUL Disabled Students’ Officer
Michael Chessum, ULU President
Oscar Webb, London Student Editor

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Hollaback! ULU
Executive Summary
KEY FINDINGS
The Hollaback! ULU research was carried out between 3rd June
2013 and 20th June 2013. During this time ULU conducted an online
survey of 416 students in the University of London experiences of
sexual harassment. Only current students were asked to fill in the
survey, and questions only referred to students’ experiences over
the course of the last year whilst studying at their current institution.
This report summarises the findings from this research.
CAMPUS SAFETY
• 53% of respondents reported to have either personally
experienced or witnessed sexual harassment.
• 34% of students said that they had been personally harassed.

• 40% of students said that they had witnessed another student
being harassed.
When asked about the locations in which students had personally
experienced or witnessed sexual harassment, 57% of students said
they had experienced or witnessed sexual harassment in campus
venues, 54% of students said they had experienced or witnessed
sexual harassment online (i.e.: Facebook pages such as “spotted”,
“fit finder”) and 36% of students said they had experienced or
witnessed sexual harassment in the surrounding areas of campus.
• In regards to sharing or reporting sexual harassment, 54% of
students said that they had confidentially spoken with a friend,
39% of students said that they hadn’t shared with anyone.
• Only 17% of students said that they reported sexual harassment.

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REPORTING SYSTEMS EFFICIENCY
• The majority of students who were aware of the availability of a
harassment reporting system at their institution did not have
confidence in using the system currently in place.
• Most of students also said that they did not think that their
institution had a clear system for reporting sexual harassment and
that they did not know who to report to if they were sexually
harassed near, as opposed to on campus.
GENDER MATTERS
• Women were twice more likely to be
personally sexually harassed than men.
• Men were more likely to be witnesses of sexual harassment.
• Women felt less safe on campus than men.
• Women were more likely to personally experience or witness
experiences of sexual harassment in pathways between campus
buildings and surrounding areas than men.
• Men were more likely to personally experience or witness sexual
harassment in halls and toilets than women.
• When it comes to sharing experiences, women were more likely to
confide in friends, online, or of by word of mouth than men.
• Men were less likely to share their experiences with anyone;
however, they were more likely to report their experiences to
authorities than women.
LGBT STUDENTS
• LGBT students were more likely to personally experience and
witness sexual harassment than the average student.
• LGBT women were more likely to experience sexual harassment
than LGBT men.
• LGBT students were more likely to share their experiences of sexual
harassment.
• LGBT men are less likely to tell anyone about sexual harassment
but when they did they were more likely to report incidents to
authorities than LGBT women.
Trans and non-binary students
• Trans* and non-binary students were almost twice as likely to
experience sexual harassment than the average student and
more likely to witness another student being harassed.

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• Trans* and non-binary students are more likely to share their
experiences of sexual harassment, particularly online, but less likely
to report their experiences of harassment than the average student.
*We’d like to indicate that this was a small sized sample and may not be
completely representative of the majority of Trans* and non-binary students
on ULU campuses. We will be working towards gaining more information from
Trans* and non-binary students.

BLACK* STUDENTS
• Black students were more likely to personally experience sexual
harassment than the average student.
• Black* Women were almost 4 times
more likely to experience sexual
harassment than Black* men.
• There was not much difference between how safe Black* students
felt at night however research did show that female Black*
students were 30% less likely to fell safe on campus compared to
Black* men.
*Black - One or both parents originating from Africa, the Caribbean, Asia, the
Middle East, Latin America or Indigenous peoples

DISABLED STUDENTS*
• Disabled students were more likely to personally experience and
witness sexual harassment than the average student.
• Disabled students were more likely to experience sexual harassment
in campus venues and were around twice as likely to experience
sexual harassment in pathways between buildings, halls and
surrounding areas of campuses.

• Disabled students were twice
as likely to experience sexual
harassment in public toilets on
campus than the average student.

*We’d like to indicate that students were not asked to reveal what type of
disability they had for the survey. However, we will be working towards gaining
more information from disabled students in future research.

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Research Findings
CAMPUS SAFETY
Students were asked in which ways they have encountered sexual
harassment on campus during the last year:
• 34% of students said the they had been personally harassed
• 40% of students said that they had witnessed another student
being harassed
• 47% of student said that they had not experienced or witnessed
sexual harassment
When students were asked where on campus had they experienced
or witnessed sexual harassment, they responded as follows:

When students were asked how safe they felt on their campus club
nights:

“I think there needs to be a more visible security presence in the late evenings for those
living on campus as during the library 24 hour time I didn’t feel safe walking back to my
halls. Also there were often non students loitering around the back part of Maynard and
Beaumont which is frightening if you’re a girl as there is poor lighting in these areas.”
Queen Mary, University of London student

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I was groped in a bar; it didn’t come to my mind to complain to the bouncers or members
of staff. In retrospect I should have, but I don’t know how they would have reacted to
the situation. I wish there was more education out there on casual sexual harassment in
social situations like bars, and how to deal with it. A code of conduct for order enforcers,
and public attending the venue, to hopefully deter such lewd behaviour, and support the
victims of the harassment/assault.
University College London student

REPORTING SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Students were asked how effective they thought the reporting
system for sexual harassment was on their campus. Overall
responses indicated that most students did not have confidence in
the reporting system for sexual harassment on their campus.
When students were asked in what ways they had shared personal
or witnessed sexual harassment stories:
• 54% of students said that they confidentially shared with a friend
• 27% of students said that they publicly shared by word of mouth
• 13% of students said that they publicly shared online
• 12% of students said that they reported it to a person of authority
• 2% of students said that they reported it to authorities via online
tools anonymously
• 3% of students said that they reported it to authorities via online
tools privately
• 39% of students said that they didn’t share with anyone
• Only 17% of students said that they reported sexual harassment

Institutions that have policy and methods in place for reporting
harassment sometimes fail to make this information accessible to all
students which in turn results in fewer students being able to report.
When we asked students if they thought that their institution has a
clear system for reporting sexual harassment:

“The process for reporting sexual harassment is very unclear; I didn’t even know there
was a procedure for reporting harassment and therefore have not reported anything
despite it being a common occurrence for me and almost everyone I know. Sexual
harassment is endemic in the area surrounding the university and on campus. I have not
seen any improvement over time in tackling sexual harassment.”
Queen Mary, University of London student

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“King’s is very vague about what to do/whom to report to/how to report in cases of
harassment. I would like an increase in guidance and awareness.”
King’s College, University of London student

When we asked students if
they felt that their institution
took sexual harassment very
seriously:

When we asked students if they
felt that they would be believed
and supported if they went to
report sexual harassment on
campus:

When we asked students if the
system currently in place at their
university made them confident
in reporting sexual harassment:

“The Harassment Policy at my college seems ok at first glance, but no one follows it or even
seems to know about it. We also don’t have a Safer Spaces policy. I’ve reported (non-sexual)
bullying and did not feel I was taken seriously, so I would not feel confident about
reporting sexual harassment.”
Queen Mary, University of London student

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Due to the fact that students often commute to and from their
institutions, it is important to examine the areas surrounding
campuses.
When we asked students if they
knew how to report to if they
were sexually harassed near but
not on campus:

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am not aware of who I would report sexual harassment to if I was harassed (near to) but
off, campus. It would be great to see posters/flyers around campus letting everyone know
who they can report harassment to. Posters stating a zero tolerance to sexual harassment
would also be good to see.â&#x20AC;?
Goldsmiths College, University of London

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Recommendations
DEFINING SEXUAL HARASSMENT
It’s important that students and staff members are aware of what
sexual harassment is and the importance of consent in sexual
interaction which is key to outlining the differences between flirting
and harassment.
“I don’t think it’s clear at all what we are meant to do if we are sexually harassed, or even
what constitutes sexual harassment/what is enough to warrant reporting or that will be
taken seriously”
King’s College, University of London student

“Often, they don’t know its harassment. If you ask them, they’ll say that it’s annoying,
but just people messing around. If you make a big deal about it, people get more abusive
towards you.”
King’s College, University of London student

Sexual harassment can be defined as unwelcome behaviour of a
sexual nature. Sexual harassment ranges from leers, whistles, honks,
kissing noises, and non-sexually explicit evaluative comments; to
more insulting and threatening behaviour like vulgar gestures,
sexually charged comments, flashing, and stalking, to illegal actions
like public masturbation, sexual touching and assault.
Clearer information on what sexual harassment is for students and
staff members can prevent harassment and also enable more
students to come forward to report their experiences.
ZERO TOLERANCE
All Student Unions should advocate a zero tolerance stance on
sexual harassment, which means cracking down on all levels of
sexual harassment and removing victim blaming from the reporting
process.
It is important that students feel that they will be treated with respect
and given support if they are planning to report sexual harassment.
This means taking reports seriously, not blaming the victim for their
appearance, calling out inappropriate behaviour and making sure
perpetrators of sexual harassment do not get away with their actions.

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Staff members should be trained to handle incidents of sexual
harassment in a way that gives students who report sexual harassment
confidence in reporting.
“LAD” CULTURE
Lad culture plagues many intuitions across the country and the
image of university campus life. As well as implementing unhealthy
peer pressure, this normalisation of sexism and ‘banter’ has
a negative impact on the educational and campus social lives of
many women students.
“I think one of the main issues is ‘banter’ and the idea of sexual harassment being “ironic”.
Sexual jokes, repeatedly asking for a phone number, groups of men in seminars just
casually talking and joking about rape/sexual violence. Also there is a “lad” culture within
places such as the students’ union offices as well as the sports teams and the bar.”
Goldsmiths College, University of London student

There are many university club nights which ignite this sort of behaviour
by encouraging excessive drinking and using sexist advertising.
Students Unions should review the kind of nights they hold and how
they are advertised to ensure they are not promoting unsafe spaces
for students. Every student on a night out deserves to enjoy themselves
without an intimidating atmosphere.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT ONLINE
In this day and age, websites such as facebook are also used as
means of sexual harassment. This sometimes involves things such as:
• Sharing true or false details of sexual activity of another person
without consent (and including their name and/or description).
• Sharing and spreading sexually explicit images of another person
without consent.
• Constantly emailing another person sexual content after they
have said stop.
Whilst, things such as facebook profiles may be considered by some
as private areas of free speech such behaviour and the existence of
pages such as “ (x) university Rate my Shag” could lead to all kinds
of verbal bullying, shaming and harassment. Online incidents between students can affect their lives on campus, especially when it
involves shaming or threats of violence. So what can you do?

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Contact your university
Contact a member or staff or student officer who deals
with external communications and get them to contact
facebook.
You can Report the page/profile
• ‘Not being a real person’,
• ‘Pretending to be someone else’
• ‘Harassing a group or person’
You can also encourage students who witness or
experience sexual harassment online from other students,
to screen capture these incidents for evidence.
LIBERATION GROUPS
The Hollaback! ULU report has shown that students who belong to
Liberation groups (Women, LGBT, Black * & Disabled) are more at risk of
sexual harassment
“Generally sexual harassment at venues is heavily disregarded by peers; most women
wouldn’t bother reporting it, myself included, at some point because of the lengths taken
and the fear of my safety.”
Royal Holloway, University of London student
“I feel that it is very clear what to do if a female gets sexually harassed but as a gay man I
do not believe it is very clear what to do or if it is tolerated if I am harassed”
Goldsmiths College, University of London student

“Disabled people are more likely to experience harassment due to vulnerability and low
self-esteem. Therefore, members of staff need to be able to aware of tell-tale signs such as
the behaviour of the people around the individual.”
Thomas Ankin, ULU Disabled Students’ Officer

• It is important to recognise that gender-based street harassment can
intersect with racism, homophobia and transphobia, classism, and/or
ableism.
• When taking in reports of sexual harassments intuitions should also
note and address other discrimination which may have intersected
with an incident.
• No campus is identical so unions should speak to directly, or survey,
liberation groups on campus to find out what specific issues they may
have and make plans to tackle them.

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IMPROVING YOUR REPORTING SYSTEM
A good reporting system should have confident and well trained staff
to deal with situations and should be advertised on campus and
online.
• Unions should make sure that security and campus staff are trained
to deal with issues concerning sexual harassment efficiently.
• There should be clear disciplinary structures in place for perpetrators
of sexual harassment.
• The Survivor of sexual harassment should be informed about the
progression of their report and should be offered alternative support
services such as counselling.
“Sexual harassment is commonplace on my campus, and while I can imagine that all
members of staff would take a complaint seriously there are not visible systems for
reporting incidents.”
Birkbeck College, University of London student

REPORTING TO POLICE
In the event that a student ends up reporting an incident to the police,
Students’ Unions should inform the students of their rights and also
ensure that they receive emotional support or counselling if it is needed.
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT & COUNSELLING
• Institutions should have the details of a range of internal and local
support services for students who have been sexually harassed.
• Make links to local Women’s Centres, LGBT and Male Survivor groups.
INSTITUTIONS VS. STUDENTS’ UNIONS
On some campuses the Students’ Unions reporting systems differ to
their universities.
• Students unions should work together with their institutions to review
their systems to make sure that they are communicated well to both
students and staff members.
• There’s no point in having systems in place if they are not properly
communicated and accessible to all students and staff.
“I know the SU has systems in place and I would go to them, but in terms of the uni as an
institution I wouldn’t know.”
King’s College, University of London student

We have a zero tolerance approach to sexual harassment
of anyone in any student spaces, including on campus,
the surrounding areas of campus and online.

Hollaback!

No student, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation,
race or ability should have deal with sexual harassment in
silence. Our reporting and disciplinary systems aim to be
as clear, efficient and accessible as possible.

NO to victim blaming YES to Supportive services

We believe in supporting students who have been sexually
harassed and providing training for members of staff to
deal with situations involving sexual harassment efficiently.

Appendix A:
Survey Design
QUESTIONS
The following is a list of headline questions we asked in each section.
In which of the following ways have you experienced
harassment on your campus within the last year?
Harassment includes having been stared at or gestured towards in
an offensive way, verbally harassed, followed, stalked or groped.
Please select all that apply:
1. I have been personally harassed
2. I have witnessed another student being harassed
3. I have not experienced or witnessed sexual harassment
Where have you personally experienced or witnessed sexual
harassment? Please select all that apply:
1. Campus Venues
2. Pathways between buildings on campus
3. Inside educational buildings
4. Halls
5. Surrounding area of campus
6. Public Toilets on Campus.
7. Online (i.e: facebook pages such as “spotted”, “fit finder”)
8. I have not experienced or witnessed any sexual harassment
How safe do you feel on campus club nights?
1. Extremely safe
2. Very safe
3. Moderately safe
4. Slightly safe
5. Not at all safe
6. I don’t go to campus club nights
If you have personally experienced harassment or witnessed
someone else getting harassed, in what ways have you
shared this story? Please select all that apply:
1. Confidentially shared with a friend
2. Publicly shared by word of mouth

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3. Publicly shared online
4. Reported to a person of authority
5. Reported to authorities via online tools anonymously
6. Reported to authorities via online tools privately
7. Didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t share with anyone
How effective do you think reporting system for sexual
harassment is on your campus? This question was completed
via a rating system which students had a choice the options:
Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know & N/A
1. The system currently in place for reporting incidents at my
university makes me confident in reporting sexual harassment.
2. My Institution takes sexual harassment very seriously.
3. My Institution has a clear system for reporting sexual harassment.
4. I feel confident that I would be believed and supported if I went to
report sexual harassment on campus.
5. I know who to report to if I am sexually harassed near but not on
campus.
At the end of the questionnaire we provided participants with an open
text box and asked them those it to provide us with any comments or
concerns that they were not able to express in answering the survey.
A small number of respondents used the opportunity to tell us about
campus specific problems and details of personal experiences.

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Appendix B:
Participant Profile
Respondents were ‘screened’ into the survey by an initial question which asked
whether the student was studying at a University of London institution and asked
to identify which one; only those who answered positively were asked to
continue with the survey.
Gender
• 75% of respondents were women
• 23% of respondents were men
• 1.5% of respondents were Gender Queer
• 1% of respondents were Gender Fluid
• 0.5% of respondents did not define into a gender
• 1% of respondents preferred not to say
We asked students if their gender congruent with the sex they were
assigned at birth:
• 95.5% of respondents said Yes
• 3% of respondents said No
• 1.5% of respondents said preferred not to say
We asked students what liberation groups did they defined into:
• 64% of respondents defined into Women
• 31% of respondents defined into LGBT
• 14% of respondents defined into Black*
• 11% of respondents defined into Disabled
• 23% of respondents said that they did not define into any liberation group.
We asked students which University of London Institution they were studying at:
Birkbeck College (2.16%)
Central School of Speech and Drama (0.24%)
Courtauld Institute of Art (10.58%)
Goldsmiths College (6.49%) Heythrop College (0.24%)
Institute of Education (0.24%)
King’s College London (14.18%)
London School of Economics (2.16%)
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (0.24%)
Queen Mary, University of London 13.70%
Royal Academy of Music (0.24%)
Royal Holloway, University of London (16.35%)
Royal Veterinary College (4.09%)
St George’s, University of London (0.24%) School of Oriental and African Studies (3.61%)
University College London (25.24%)